Tamil Nadu-based Garuda Aerospace, a prominent leader in India’s drone industry, has strengthened its foothold with two significant approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
These new certifications — a Delta Type certification for manufacturing and a Train the Trainer approval for its Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) — underscore Garuda’s commitment to excellence and compliance, positioning the company as a comprehensive provider in the Indian drone market.
The Delta Type certification, Garuda’s first new approval, is a critical recognition of its ability to design, manufacture, and maintain drones adhering to DGCA’s rigorous safety and quality standards. This certification is essential for drone manufacturers in India, ensuring that their products meet the highest safety and operational benchmarks.
The second recent certification, a Train the Trainer approval for Garuda’s RPTO, empowers the company to train and certify instructors who, in turn, will educate and certify drone pilots. With this approval, Garuda is poised to contribute significantly to the development of a skilled drone workforce in India, creating a steady pipeline of certified pilots equipped to support the nation’s expanding drone operations.
Garuda Aerospace now holds six DGCA approvals, reflecting its industry-leading status. These certifications include:
- Delta Type certification for small drone manufacturing (October 2024)
- Train the Trainer approval for its RPTO (September 2024)
- RPTO approval for Medium Drone (December 2023)
- Type Certification for Medium drone manufacturing (October 2023)
- Type Certification for Small Drone Manufacturing (December 2023)
- RPTO approval for Small Drone (September 2022)
Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, expressed optimism regarding the company’s growth, stating, “These new DGCA approvals open up new avenues for growth and expansion, allowing us to serve a wider range of customers and contribute more significantly to the Indian drone industry. By achieving both manufacturing and training certifications, we are reaffirming our commitment to fostering a thriving and self-sufficient drone market.”
“The DGCA approvals are crucial for driving innovation and empowering industries across the world and will enable us to capitalise on this growth potential and position Garuda Aerospace as a key player in the industry. By investing in research and development, training skilled personnel, and building strategic partnerships, we aim to contribute to the development of a vibrant and sustainable drone ecosystem in India,” he added.
Garuda Aerospace has consistently achieved milestones in the drone sector. In 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 100 Garuda drones across 100 locations in India, commending the company’s contribution to agricultural innovation and profitability for farmers.
Furthermore, celebrated Indian cricketer MS Dhoni joined Garuda as a brand ambassador and stakeholder, actively promoting the company’s vision to revolutionize India’s drone industry. Notably, Garuda is India’s first company to secure both DGCA manufacturing and training certifications, underscoring its comprehensive expertise and leadership in the evolving drone market.
